The future of an award-winning village pub in north Norfolk "remains uncertain" as it struggles to make ends meet amid the cost of living crisis.

The Langham Blue Bell is among the many pubs which have been hit hard by rising costs and reduced footfall as punters tighten their belts.

And despite recently bagging a prestigious Blue Ribbon in the Good Food Awards 2023, the pub's manager Tom Pickard said it's not enough to ensure its future. 

Eastern Daily Press: (Left to right) Jason Mitchell, landlord, and Tom Pickard, general manager, of the Blue Bell pub and restaurant in Langham(Left to right) Jason Mitchell, landlord, and Tom Pickard, general manager, of the Blue Bell pub and restaurant in Langham (Image: Tom Pickard,)

The 41-year-old: "We were absolutely over the moon to have won a Blue Ribbon in the gastropub category, especially because it was voted for by our customers.

"We are a small team and we are really passionate about what we do.

"And it really cements what we believe here, which is that our food is very good.

"But we have to admit, it has been an extremely difficult year for the Blue Bell."

It comes after a quiet summer period for the pub with its turnover in August 30pc down on the year before - during the coronavirus pandemic - which Mr Pickard said ended up being one of their most profitable years after "diversifying and focusing on the restaurant".

Eastern Daily Press: The Blue Bell in LanghamThe Blue Bell in Langham (Image: Tom Pickard)

But now, from the rising cost of food, to VAT and energy bills combined with fewer people walking through the door, Mr Pickard, who has run pubs and hotels in Norfolk for the last ten years, said this is the "most challenging" time for the hospitality sector he has ever experienced.

He added: "It's going to be a long, hard winter in Norfolk and we haven't had the summer we needed to get through it.

"And with the way things are looking it’s only going to get worse.

"The cost of living crisis has made it virtually impossible for it to be a financially viable business.

"So to get to this stage where we potentially can’t continue is heartbreaking."

Eastern Daily Press: The Langham Blue Bell in north NorfolkThe Langham Blue Bell in north Norfolk (Image: Tom Pickard)

Now Mr Pickard and the pub's leaseholders, Jason Mitchel and Abby Wilson, are "exploring their options".

"We have been operating week to week since the end of the summer," he said.

"We didn't think we would get this far. But we will do everything we can to try and make it work."